The Chicago Bears officially announced the new additions to Matt Nagy’s coaching staff, which includes a continued overhaul on offense.
Nagy confirmed the hirings of Bill Lazor as offensive coordinator and John DeFilippo as quarterbacks coach, as well as the promotion of Dave Ragone to pass game coordinator. They joined previously-announced coaches Juan Castillo (offensive line) and Clancy Barone (tight ends).
There’s plenty to unpack here, given the direction of Nagy’s hirings. Here are my five takeaways from the new additions to the Bears’ offensive coaching staff:
1. Fixing the offense a major priority this offseason
Ask anyone about what doomed the Bears in 2019, and the answer will be an overwhelming chorus focused on the offense. While the Bears offense didn’t need to be a top-10 offense to live up to expectations, they needed to show progress in Year 2 of Matt Nagy’s system. Instead, they ranked near the bottom of nearly every statistical category.
Naturally, someone had to take the fall. And it wasn’t going to be Nagy. So it’s easy to assume that the firings of offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand and tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride were an attempt to pawn off the blame for the offense’s struggles. But it feels like it’s more about accountability at this point.
The offense needs to be significantly better this season than it was in 2019. It’s as simple as that. If not, Nagy’s seat will grow even hotter.
2. There are a lot of new offensive voices in the building
When it comes to the failures of the Bears offense in 2019, a bulk of the blame falls on Matt Nagy, and rightfully so. He’s, by all accounts, the offensive coordinator, the guy that calls the plays and the one responsible for the offense.
Nagy vowed to fix the offense this offseason, and he’s doing just that merely weeks in by bringing in new additions to his coaching staff. But these aren’t just any hires. They’re coaches with years of NFL experience in specific areas of need.
Bringing in Bill Lazor and John DeFilippo gives him two more voices to listen to when it comes to developing the game plan each week, as both have playing calling experience during their time as offensive coordinator. They’ll also be new voices for Mitchell Trubisky, who is entering a make-or-break season with the Bears.
Juan Castillo has the run game coordinator experience that Nagy needs in finding a solution to arguably the biggest issue last season. Nagy is hoping that Clancy Barone’s experience with Pro Bowl tight ends will help him turn another area of need around, although general manager Ryan Pace is going to need to help him out with that one, as well.
You can’t underestimate the value of experienced coaches, which shows that Nagy is willing to listen and adapt — although he’ll still call the plays.
3. If John DeFilippo can’t get the best out of Mitchell Trubisky, no one can
The hiring of John DeFilippo as quarterbacks coach is a move that should benefit Mitchell Trubisky and the other quarterbacks Chicago brings in this offseason.
Given Trubisky’s regression last season, a change had to be made. And since Chicago is stuck with Trubisky for at least another season, they made several changes to the coaching staff that will be tasked with salvaging his Bears career. While DeFilippo has struggled in his last two stops as offensive coordinator in Minnesota and Jacksonville, his work with quarterbacks is impressive. He was the QB coach in Philadelphia when Carson Wentz had his MVP-caliber season, before suffering a season-ending injury.
There are frustrations with Trubisky’s struggles, but if there’s anyone that can get something out of him, it’s DeFilippo. And if not, it’s time to move on from Trubisky.
4. Matt Nagy’s commitment to fix the run game
Among the many issues on offense last season was the Bears’ inability to run the football. Whether it was up front on the offensive line or play calling, where Matt Nagy would often abandon the run early on, it’s a glaring issue that demands attention.
Nagy started that work with the hiring of two coaches: Offensive line coach Juan Castillo and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, both coaches that have had success in the run game during their extensive careers.
Castillo has experience as an offensive line coach, as well as run game coordinator. Most recently he served as offensive line coach and run game coordinator for a Bills team that ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing in 2017 (126.1 yards per game) and fifth in 2018 (124.0).
Lazor also has found some success in the run game in his previous stops in Cincinnati and Miami, where the Bengals were 14th in rushing DVOA (2018) and the Dolphins were second in rushing DVOA (2015) and 13th in rushing DVOA (2014).
5. Changes are coming in the QB room
It’s easy to look at the Bears’ newest coaching additions and start connecting the dots between them and the veteran quarterbacks they’ve worked with. Quarterbacks that could become available this offseason. Names like Nick Foles and Andy Dalton, who have worked with DeFilippo and Lazor.
While the Bears remain publicly committed to Mitchell Trubisky in 2020, he’s likely not going to get the benefit of an entire season to struggle. The Bears’ quarterbacks room is going to look a lot different, due in most part to Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray set to become free agents.
Chicago is likely going to turn to a veteran this offseason to serve as competition for Trubisky, and they could also turn to the draft for a young prospect. Sure, the hirings of Lazor and DeFilippo, who both have a track record of success with quarterbacks, could be a last ditch effort to get the most of our Trubisky. But it could also be about shoring up the QBs room, whoever will be a part of it.
